Samsung Galaxy S10: Everything you need to know!

Every year, Samsung kicks off the year with its Galaxy S devices. These serve as a showcase of the very best that the company has to offer, and this year, we were treated to a total of three new devices with the Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.

Whether you're looking for the latest news, want to know how the phones compare to other gadgets, need help finding a good case, or anything else in between, you're in the right place.

The latest Galaxy S10 news

February 21, 2019 — Galaxy S10 pre-orders are now live

Just on schedule, Samsung has kicked off pre-orders of the Galaxy S10 series. The Galaxy S10e starts off at $750, with the 1TB version of the Galaxy S10+ going all the way up to $1,600. Here's the entire breakdown:

All the big details

Check out our hands-on preview

We need a bit more time before sharing our full review of the Galaxy S10 series, but in the meantime, make sure you take a look at our in-depth hands-on preview of the S10, S10+, and S10e.

As expected, Samsung absolutely knocks it out of the park when it comes to hardware. The glass and aluminum builds are top-of-the-line, the AMOLED displays are the best they've ever been, and Samsung's going all out with its camera game by including a total of three rear cameras on the more expensive S10 and S10+.

Add that together with new tech like an in-display fingerprint sensor, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 processor, and the best software experience we've ever seen from Samsung, and you end up with something that's pretty special.

There are three phones this year

Samsung typically releases two Galaxy S phones each year, including its base model and a Plus one with slightly improved specs and a larger screen.

For 2019, we have the base Galaxy S10, the upgraded Galaxy S10+, and a completely new entry with the Galaxy S10e.

While the S10 and S10+ are being marketed as Samsung's two main flagships for the year, the S10e is a device that aims to offer a lot of that same experience but for less money (think of it as Samsung's answer to the iPhone XR).

This is a big change to the usual Galaxy S lineup, and while it could cause for some confusion, it gives customers more choice than before. If you want the best that Samsung has to offer, you get the S10. Want a larger screen, a bigger battery, and two front-facing cameras? The S10+ has you covered. If money's a bit tighter but you still want an excellent Android phone, the S10e is ready to serve you.

Should you upgrade from an older Samsung device?

Samsung's been making really great phones for the last few years, so if you already own an older Galaxy S flagship, is it worth upgrading to the new S10?

If you're still rocking a Galaxy S8 or anything older, getting the S10 just makes sense. It'll be a vastly better experience compared to what you're using right now, and if you've held onto your current phone for two or more years, you've definitely gotten your money's worth.

And honestly, even if you have last year's Galaxy S9, the S10 still delivers meaningful improvements on a few different areas that could make it worth splurging for.

Get familiar with the specs

With three different phones being offered this year, that means you have three different spec sheets to familiarize yourself with this year.

The S10 sits in the middle-ground, the S10+ has the very best specs you can find, and the S10e cuts a few corners to get its price down to where it is.

It's a pretty simple way to think about things, but if you really want to understand the minute similarities and differences between the three phones, we recommend checking out the full spec list below 👇.

What's up with those hole-punch displays?

Yep. The rumors were right. Despite its resilience to the notch over the last couple of years, Samsung caved in with the S10 series by using its Infinity-O display that features a hole-punch cutout/notch in the upper-left corner.

While there are a lot of mixed feelings about this decision, we're glad Samsung made this move.

For starters, this allows for even more screen real-estate than before. The top and bottom bezels have shrunk quite a bit compared to the S9, giving you even more viewing area for your movies, games, etc.

As for the displays themselves, they're still rocking Samsung's phenomenal Super AMOLED panels. This year, however, they get a nice upgrade with official support for HDR10+. In other words, if you're watching a video that supports HDR10+, you'll see it with even punchier colors and deeper contrasts.

The fingerprint sensor is underneath the screen

Speaking of the display, the S10 and S10+ have their fingerprint sensors hidden underneath it.

Similar to what we've seen on devices like the OnePlus 6T, there's a designated area in the bottom middle of the screen where you can place your finger to unlock the phone. The S10 and S10+ are the first devices to use Qualcomm's ultrasonic sensing technology which essentially creates a 3D model of your fingerprint. Compared to other in-screen sensors that just capture a 2D image of it, this should allow the S10 to be faster and more secure in these regards.

A 5G model is coming at a later date

You know how we've been saying that Samsung has three S10 models to choose from? Yeah, there's a fourth one, too.

At some point later this year, Samsung will launch the Galaxy S10 5G. We know that it'll connect to 5G networks in the U.S., has a gigantic 6.7-inch display, 4,500 mAh battery, and 25W Super Fast Charging, but that's about it.

We have no clue what other specs it'll include, when it'll be released, or how much Samsung's going to charge for the privilege of owning one (spoiler alert, it's definitely not going to be cheap).

Samsung has a lot of colors to choose from

The Galaxy S10 devices are designed incredibly well, and to compliment that craftsmanship that went into them, Samsung's offering the phones in a variety of gorgeous colors.

What kind of colors?

The S10, S10+, and S10e are all available in Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Blue, Flamingo Pink, and Prism Green. The S10+ has two premium Ceramic Black and Ceramic White finishes, whereas the S10e gets a gorgeous Canary Yellow colorway.

Pre-orders are now live

Eager to buy the Galaxy S10 for yourself? Good news — pre-orders are now live and go through March 7. If you buy the phone before then, you'll also be able to snag a pair of Samsung's new Galaxy Buds completely free (a $130 value).

Regular sales open up on March 8, and as expected, you'll be able to buy the S10 pretty much anywhere and everywhere.

Make sure to pick up some accessories, too

If you do plan on buying any version of the S10, do yourself a favor and also make sure that you grab a few accessories to go along with it.

Things like cases and screen protectors can go a long way in ensuring how well your phone holds up over time, so do the right thing and spend a few extra dollars now to protect yourself from ending up with a broken and shattered device a few months down the road.